Talking Hearts Cards

Author's Note: John picked the cards and I answered them first. He got a copy of my answers prior to him answering the prompts. When I went in to get the paper from him with his answers he said, "You didn't expect me to write out all the answers did you, when I looked at both sides and nothing was written. So, I sat down and wrote his answers for him. I suppose it is meant to be that way by the authors of the cards.

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What was your first impression of me? Was I different from what you expected?

Between the two of us, who becomes a bigger baby when sick?

Talking Hearts cards

First impression and am I different than expected?

Denise: My first impression was that I knew you just well enough to be friends. I thought you may be helpful to a single woman. I didn't expect you to hit on me, because I knew your wife first. You agreed to be just friends.

Yes, I didn't expect to get involved with a friend like we have. Together now for 26 years. I found out you lied about wanting to just be friends.

John: Pretty! And not different because I saw you before we were friends.

Biggest baby when sick

Denise: It is you for sure. No question. I really think it is a man thing! Except I have to admit when I was teasing about you having a man cold and what a big baby you were, that you may have had covid!

John: You are...(then he laughs) Denise: John admit the truth now. (nothing but laughing.)

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What prejudices do you face that I might not be aware of?

Do you have a memory of me that always makes you laugh?

Talking Hearts cards

Prejudices faced that you may not be aware of

Denise: I think I experience prejudice daily when in the world. I'm an overweight older, Native American woman. That means prejudice for being overweight, old, Native, and a woman in this society. My education is questioned, and my position has been questioned.

John: Prejudice from black people in the Army, for being white. Denise: You are right, I didn't know about that.

A memory of me that makes you laugh

Denise: When you were falling down while chasing a grandchild with your new knees, and weren't supposed to be running, and I couldn't watch you fall so I closed my eyes. When I looked you were still chasing Paxton.

Brynn then told me, "Grandpa looked just like a superhero as he was falling, he did a complete summersault, landing on his feet. He looked just like batman!"

John: Nothing stands out!

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What's the best and worst thing about your job?

How will you spend your time when you retire?

Talking Hearts cards

Best and Worst thing about your job

Denise - Best is: Being in retirement and able to pick and choose the work that I do now. Worst is: While working part-time and expecting the money that I will make to pay taxes, and to a fundraiser, and to take a trip, and two jobs cancel at once.

John - Since I am retired, the best was: I like putting things together. Welding does that for me. Then the worst was: I felt like everyone's dad as the leadman on the job.

Spending time in retirement

Denise: Being able to work part-time. Spending time with family and friends. Hanging out with hubby. I like our date night.

John: Recovery support groups I attend, the service that is involved, fixing things around the house, equipment, the yard, and riding motorcycle, tricycle, 4-wheelers, go-kart.

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

When do you feel the most connected to me?

Have you ever been on a truly blind date? How did it go?

Talking Hearts cards

Feel most connected to me

Denise: In bed. In conversation. On date night. In your arms. Holding hands.

John: When I'm pestering you. Denise: No grandchildren to pester, right? John: No, your pestering is different! Denise: Like the teasing, singing, rhyming, sneaking up on me? John: Yes, that and the rest.

Blind date experience

Denise: Once when my friend who was older than me took me with her to meet a guy she was interested in. We went to his place, and she went into his house. It was supposed to be just for a minute. His friend came out and introduced himself and we spent time in the car. It was quite a while later, and the friend attempted to put the moves on me, and that was the last time I saw him. The next time I saw him, I totally ignored him after seeing him point at me and talk to another guy about me. I don't know if I even knew his name.

John: A girl from Deer River liked me, and my friend knew that. She had a car and we didn't, and he liked that idea. She would drive to Bena, and my friend set us up on a blind date. We dated more than once, but I don't remember her name as that was a long time ago. Like 60 years ago.